‘Wolf Creek’ sequel receives coin

Screen Oz reveals funding to local slate

MELBOURNE — A sequel to boffo Aussie frightener “Wolf Creek” was one of more than a dozen projects announced by Screen Australia topper Ruth Harley at the Melbourne Intl. Film Festival at the weekend.

Harley said the location of the announcement — Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria — was relevant to the new “compelling slate of screen productions.”

“Three of the new features hail from Victoria, including director Greg McLean’s film ‘Wolf Creek 2,’ which will once again bring horror, action and suspense to the outback, as well as the directorial debuts of Boyd Hicklin with the comedy bromance ‘Save Your Legs’ and David Pulbrook’s political drama ‘Last Dance,’ ” Harley said.

Released in 2005, the original “Wolf Creek” was a small budget affair with a price tag of $A1 million ($1.1 million), which took more than $50 million in worldwide B.O. Sequel is likely to be a bigger budget pic and vet thesp John Jarratt will once again reprise the role of serial killer Mick Taylor.

Screen Australia said the slate of investment — which includes a range of adult and kids TV skeins — was worth $19.5 million and will trigger up to $92 million in investment.